After I wrote my last post, I thought things were on their way back to normal (as I type, that word is up there, in the little text editing bar, white against black and so bold) and I'd be back in the studio painting my days away, working on my next online class or just writing in general. Things would even out and I'd be back to directing my sails.

Except life isn't like that, when you get down to it. You can hope and pray and keep the faith, but sometimes, it's just a roller coaster of slightly-less-than-terrible things that pile up. I've been doing a lot of Soul Work as of late, attending a new church, and jumping into art-making-with-less-perfection.

But I'm beginning to think we make our own normal. And learn how to roll with it with less resistance. So here's art and pics and fun stuff!

A couple of weeks ago, I started playing with the panorama feature on my iPhone, wanting to share my art-making experience (and I had to stand on a ladder to get this pic!).

Standing while painting means dancing and swaying and singing along. More room for my art journal and scrap paper and canvases. Reference images and stencils and my big box of often used acrylic paint colors. No paint brushes, though. Just tools and fingers and making marks.

Here's my most recent favorite (you can see the middle layers in the pic above, with the gold triangles!).

My favorite part is in the lower left hand corner....that thick swirl of white and neon pink paint that looks like marbling. I think I stared at it for awhile before snapping pictures! It's raised and thick and yum! I just love painting in layers and layers of acrylics and making marks. I really wish you guys could see and feel my paintings and journal pages in person (and if you do meet me, feel free to run your hands over anything....I varnish for a reason!).

I am trying to find a happy medium in my work -- between too much texture making things busy and too little making it flat -- and often work in my journals to play around.

Also, white space. I've missed it as of late!

I also posted this teaser image last week about this year's Art Journal Summer Camp! We're gonna make projects and learn techniques and have tons of fun! Last year's camp was a smashing success, so I know this year's will only be better. I'm filming this week (already blocked out some time!) and we should be up and running in July, with a second session in August. This class runs live, so clear some time for fun!

I've had Fibromyalgia/CFS for 17 years, along with an alphabet soup of medical issues. Creativity and art saved my life. I also write about grief, suicide/mental illness awareness, and chronic illness.

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I love layering marks and paint. You never know what is going to show through all of the layers. Just make marks - each mark inspires the next one, and yeah, you might cover up something you like, but it’s all part of the journey to create art with deeper meaning. You know what to do, so stop waiting for the muse to strike and play! #journalgirl #artjournal #mixedmedia #rangerink #ilovemyblackjournal

My take on #insanelyinspiredinstagram. Here’s where I create. I could also share my favorite coffee shop at my desk at work since I work wherever. That box on the left is where my favorite supplies go when I’m on the go - or sitting in my recliner since being a #spoonieartist makes it hard to sit at a desk for a long period of time. You can juuust see the tripod I have for filming videos. This L was made by my brother and I have inherited it. Favorite pieces and a color wheel hang above the desk. Everything is close by. And I rarely clean it up. 😉 #journalgirl #artist

Mood Board Monday is finally up...just needed a little time! I did a different workflow for this one and worked on it all over the place! I really like how it came out even if I didn’t have the space to write the quote I actually wanted to use! #journalgirl #mixedmedia #artjournal #janedavenport #fabercastell